Lice Shampoo linked to Leukemia

Chemical Shampoos that rid hair of head lice have been linked to an increased risk of children developing leukemia. The French national medical research institute (INSERM), conducted the study with 280 children who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia.

Their mothers were interviewed on the use of many products, including pesticides and fungicides in the home and garden along with insecticidal shampoos.

[ConsumerAffairs.com] reports that, "Based on responses to the interview questions, scientists said they can conclude that using insecticidal shampoos could almost double the risk of developing leukemia. They also found the risk of developing the disease was almost twice as likely in children whose mothers said they had used insecticides in the home while pregnant and after birth"

Currently, product names have not been specified, but if you have any household products, chemical shampoos, insecticides or fungicides with the following ingredients, make sure they are not in any contact with children:

• Malathion
• Pyrethroid
• Lindane

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal proliferation of white blood cells. The exact cause of leukemia is unknown but is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates there were nearly 35,000 new cases of leukemia in the United States in 2005. Most cases occur in older adults, with more than half of all cases occurring after age 67.